Launchpad Mentorship Program

Applications for Launchpad 2018 now open.

WHAT IS LAUNCHPAD?

Through the remarkable support of Tim Fairfax Family Foundation, we are proud to announce a new opportunity for emerging composers and songwriters in Queensland and Northern Territory.

Launchpad is a composer scholarship program which mentors emerging composers who are within the first five years of their professional careers. The scholarship offers one-on-one mentoring and professional development delivered by Topology’s artists and company staff with the goal of nurturing creative potential and serving as a springboard from which mentorees can launch their careers as musicians, composers or songwriters. Launchpad welcomes all worthy participants with no barrier of age, genre or style. Four candidates per year will be selected and mentored by Topology. The resulting works composed by mentorees will be premiered in a performance with Topology in Brisbane.

WHAT’S IN THE PROGRAM?

Mentorees will work closely with Topology through initial brainstorms, creative development and rehearsal over a 12-month period. Each mentoree will be assigned to one of Topology’s composers who will work with them one-on-one to hone their compositions. Mentorees from outside of Brisbane will be provided travel and accommodation for 2 intensive creative development sessions in Brisbane. Further mentorship will be conducted via Skype and email.

The program will culminate in an intensive production week in Brisbane where participants’ compositions will be “launched” in a public performance with Topology. Participants will also gain valuable experience on and off stage as they become integral team members in mounting and promoting the performance.

ELIGIBILITY:

Composers, musicians and songwriters who:

are 15 years old and above

are residents of Queensland or Northern Territory, Australia

can demonstrate some experience in composition and/or songwriting through scores, recordings and lyrics

exhibit potential for artistic excellence

possess a strong desire to launch a career in music within the next 5 years

HOW TO APPLY:

Fill in the application form below.

Provide samples of your original work (links to YouTube, SoundCloud, Vimeo).

Submit the following support documents*:

If you don’t have recordings or videos, you may submit scores and/or lyrics (Microsoft Word or PDF).

Two (2) letters of recommendation from individuals who can provide relevant comment in support of your application. They can be from fellow artists, teachers, parents or music industry professionals.

APPLY NOW:

Booking confirmation, event information and further correspondence will be directed to this nominated email address.

Contact number *

Are you a...? *

Songwriter

Composer

Musician

Other

Other? Please specify.

What instrument/s do you play (in order of preference)? *

ABOUT YOU *

Tell us a bit about yourself and your musical journey so far. How long have you been studying music? What kind of music do you like to play/write? Performance credits, if any.

THE NEXT FIVE YEARS *

Where do you see yourself and your music in the next five years?

WHY YOU? *

Why should we pick you to be a Launchpad Mentoree?

SUPPORT MATERIALS *

1. MUSIC SAMPLES: In the space below, provide up to 3 links (YouTube, SoundCloud, Bandcamp, etc) to samples of your work as a composer, songwriter and/or performer. Please include a title or short description for each. Ex: "TITLE OF SONG" performed by me - www.youtube.com/??

2. SUPPORT DOCUMENTS:

- SCORES/LYRICS: If you don't have recordings or videos, you may also send us scores or lyrics (PDF or Word Documents) of your original work. Specify what you will be sending us in the space below.

- RECOMMENDATION LETTERS: Submit two (2) letters of recommendation from individuals who can provide relevant comment in support of your application. They can be from fellow artists, teachers, parents or music industry professionals.